Faith Formation
Catholic Faith formation primarily focuses on deepening initial conversion to faith. It incorporates catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral ministries.
We recall the statement made by the Second Vatican Council, "Holy Mother Church must be concerned with the whole of man's life, even the secular part of it insofar as it has a bearing on his heavenly calling. Therefore she has a role in the progress and development of education." (Gravissimum Educationis, Preface) Education remains critically important in the formation of the human person by teaching how to live well now so as to be able to live with God for all eternity.
“I want every young person in our Diocese to discover the new life that comes from Christ and to experience the grace of belonging to His Body, the Church. We must make sure that all our young people feel at home in the Church where they are loved with Christ’s love and learn to live their faith with joy. We need our young people to be missionary disciples and to give new energy to the Church!”
-Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
We invite young adults in their 20s and 30s to encounter Christ in each other and in His Church. Wherever you are at in life, we are with you and for you.
The Church's catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the whole of life with the leaven of the Gospel. Consequently, appropriate goals and content will embrace all the faith dimensions of an adult life—for example, understanding and communicating the faith, skills needed for personal growth, the experience of family life, relationships, public service, and concern for the common good.
The quinceañera ritual is valuable for the religious message it sends not only to young people, but also to parents, grandparents, godparents and the entire parish in calling them to prayerfully join with youth in making a commitment to God and the Church.
The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens.
